Custom Cabinet for 90g Reef (Build Thread)

So, I'm assuming that you ran #10/3(+G) for your new outlets and connected it to <b>two single pole breakers</b> on your load center? You do not have to use a double pole breaker (which would trip both circuits) unless you have one device with multiple circuits and I don't think that you do.

Are your receptacles rated for 30Amps? Also, did you use #10 wire from the receptacle to the your "power panel" in your cabinet?

Lookin' good :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11278016#post11278016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakee911
So, I'm assuming that you ran #10/3(+G) for your new outlets and connected it to <b>two single pole breakers</b> on your load center? You do not have to use a double pole breaker (which would trip both circuits) unless you have one device with multiple circuits and I don't think that you do.

Are your receptacles rated for 30Amps? Also, did you use #10 wire from the receptacle to the your "power panel" in your cabinet?

Lookin' good :)
Click to expand...

I ran 10/2 wire (hot/neutral + ground) to a single pole 30A breaker.

I bought a double 20A breaker to combine two 20A circuits in my panel box, replacing two single pole 20A breakers, so I would have room to add the new 30A breaker.

I used 20A outlets. There will never be 20A plugged into this circuit, not to mention 30A. I just installed a 30A circuit because the price difference was minimal. I used 12ga/15A wiring for my "power panel" in the cabinet, because again, there will never be more than 15A plugged into the power panel's outlets. The Aqua Controller's DC8 carries the lights, heaters, and fans, and is plugged into the wall. The skimmer, return, UV, etc are plugged into the "power panel". Therefore, the entire load is divided over two 20A outlets, on one 30A circuit.

Sorry if that sounds confusing, I tried my best to be clear :).

Take care guys and thanks for the great following!
Dustin
 
I don't like that setup. The problem you could run into is that if you have a device go out of control like a pump and it starts pulling a lot of juice the 12awg wire will heat up because it is only rated at 20A but the circuit breaker will not trip becuase he can go up to 30A. GFCI will not help you here. With more amps going through that 12awg wire it could cause a fire. Unsafe.

You could make is saft by putting in a small distribution box that has 2 15A breakers and then divide the power up from there.

I would suggest backing down on the breaker to 20A. If you used 12awg wire in your power panel it is rated for 20A. You already have 20A outlets. You will need to replace the switches to ones that are rated at 20A. This will be much safer.

Make sure those outlets you put in the wall are 20A rated. Most of the time there is a horizontal slit on the left neutral leg.

Andy
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11278550#post11278550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cannarella
I don't like that setup. The problem you could run into is that if you have a device go out of control like a pump and it starts pulling a lot of juice the 12awg wire will heat up...
Click to expand...

The only devices of any size on the "power panel" I put together with 12-gauge wire are a Sedra 5000 (skimmer) and Eheim 1262 (return) pump. For one of those pumps to "go out of control" and heat up the wire to an unsafe level, it would have to be pulling over 2 kilowatts of power. That's just not going to happen with an 80w pump.

If that really was a realistic concern, and I had all the wiring rated at 30 amps, then the pump's power cord would still be 14 gauge wire rated at 13 amps. How many of you are worried about your pumps' power cords overheating in the event of the device "going out of control"?

Not trying to be offensive, I appreciate the concern!
 
Not offensive at all. I know Bean would express the same concerns as me. I am a better safe the sorry kind of guy. I would rather do it better then code for piece of mind.

I sent you a PM AU related.
 
I concur with cannarella. 12AWG on a 30A breaker is a potential fire hazard.

Red- I agree about your comments regarding the power cords to pumps, however I would much rather trust the insulation of a 14 guage cord (rated a 15A actually) to hold up briefly to 20 amps than 30.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11279438#post11279438 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
I concur with cannarella. 12AWG on a 30A breaker is a potential fire hazard.
Click to expand...

I guess I should have made this more clear.

Everything in my tank, from what I have running now to what I will be adding in the future - will require only 13 amps of current. That level of current is safe for the "power panel" I installed inside the cabinet. It is also safe for the standard outlets & switches I used. A 13 amp total load is safe for all the wiring, everywhere.

I understand that if one day I decide to chain together 8 or 9 power strips, and plug everything in my house into the fish tank circuit, that the device cord insulation might melt before the 30A breaker trips. I understand stupidity is a fire hazard.

Come on folks, let's be realistic.
 
Red -

Im not trying to spar with you but....

Realistic would be to put a 20A breaker on a circuit that "will require only 13 amps of current".
 
The issue is not with what load you are putting on the circuit, but the rated ampacity of the wire you used with the 30A breaker. #12 is ONLY rated to 20A because drawing more amps will overheat the wire.

You are correct that your everyday loads wont tax the wiring or breaker. But if the wiring gets cut, chewed through by a mouse, vibration, etc, or a heater shorts, the load then spikes, and the amperage can exceed the ampacity of the wiring.

It may never happen, but that is why they are called accidents. I wouldnt do it at my house. BTW, if your house burned down, and your insurance Co saw this, they probably wouldnt pay out.

Not trying to dog you, just want you to make an informed decision.
 
The overrated breaker is totally unnecessary and, even with respect to the small price difference between the 20 and the 30, is cheaper in price!

With that being said, congrats on the sweetes looking cabinet build that I have seen on RC. Im in the process of getting the wife to agree to something similar for our living room. Your craftsmanship is phenomenal.
 
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